Maine gay marriage opponents submit challenges

Associated Press

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Opponents of Maine's new gay marriage law have submitted petitions seeking a November referendum on the measure.

Leaders of the Stand for Marriage campaign said Friday they collected more than 100,000 signatures of registered Maine voters. Cartons containing the petitions have been turned into the secretary of state's office to be certified.

A November referendum will be held if at least 55,087 signatures are certified by Sept. 4. The referendum would ask voters whether the law should stand.

Leaders of the campaign to overturn the law say marriage between one man and one woman is a basic building block of society and must be protected.

Five other states allow gay marriage. They are Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.